Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

need to take into account wide variability in different resources, allowing for flexibility and bulk energy storage. Offshore transmission networks also need to be established. Given economies of scale, regional initiatives should be promoted wherever possible. For example, the European offshore super-grid is acknowledged as a good example of the benefits of moving from national to regional scope (UNEP, 2011), and can help address price volatility issues linked with offshore wind- energy. installation, operation and maintenance strategies for marine-energy devices are priority areas for cost reduction. Initiating support mechanisms and framing suitable legislation to establish the required infrastructure facilities is crucial for the long-term commercial success of marine-based renewable energies. 3.5 Societal acceptance Learning from experiences in other offshore environments, and other renewable energy technologies, it is important that societal acceptance is nurtured proactively from the beginning, thereby reducing planning time and associated development costs. The social and environmental risks of marine- based renewable energy options are being assessed as and when projects are being deployed. In the meantime, continued and enhanced monitoring of carefully selected environmental parameters during construction and operation of marine based renewable energies using environmental impact assessments will be essential components of early deployment. In time, more reliable and adequate data will be available on both the adverse and potentially positive effects of various marine-energy technologies. Proactive engagement of other marine users enables a balanced approach to be taken with coastal communities. Synergies should be proposed wherever feasible, such as with creating tourism ventures based on the development, or offering employment to former fishing boat operatives, for example the EU Oceans of Tomorrow programme. Muchmay be learned from the proposed Severn Estuary Tidal barrage in the UK, which not only lost the support of the general public but later of government by engaging with stakeholders Development of affordable

once certain design decisions had already been taken. This prematurely narrowed the scope for potential tidal-energy designs, some of which could have inflicted less damage on the environment but were out of the running (Okeanos, 2011). proactive engagement of other marine users by undertaking strategic assessments where many developments are planned in a region. An effective consultation process with affected stakeholders must accompany any larger- scale project. Governments also need to undertake proactive strategic marine planning to offer concessions in areas with lower risk to ecologically sensitive areas and promote synergies with other marine users. The European Commission is increasingly involved in Maritime Spatial Planning, with a view to planning and regulating all human uses of the sea, while protecting marine ecosystems to ensure efficient and sustainable use of marine space and resources in Europe. It is focusing on marine waters under national jurisdiction and is concerned only with planning activities at sea, based on sound data and in-depth knowledge of the sea. 3.6 Legal issues Offshore activities are subject to the rules of international law. Under international law there are different maritime zones each giving different rights and obligations to the coastal State and other states. The scope of the legal rights of a State to engage in specific offshore activities or establish an offshore installation will depend on the maritime zone in which the activity takes place or the location of the offshore structure. In developing marine renewable energy production governments should carefully assess the adequacy of their legal framework. A particular issue to take into consideration is the navigational rights of foreign flagged vessels. Hence, states developing offshore marine renewable energy infrastructure should ensure the preservation of navigational rights as granted under international law. As marine- based renewable energy parks often create de- facto no-fishing, no-navigation and no-trawling areas, this highlights the need for developers to proactively engage with other stakeholders for the development of marine renewable energy. Furthermore, in cases where maritime zones overlap, governments need to cooperate with neighbouring States. Governments can support

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